Chapter 33: For Good

It felt like betrayal.

Fenn didn't like it, he believed that Jedi should keep their word, that he was…a man of his word.

Yet, in this moment, he realized that that wouldn't be possible, not if he wished to protect someone he cared about, to protect all of the people he cared about.

He took a deep breath, and tried to center himself.

He didn't want to do this, but after the trip back from the antiquarian's planet, he felt he had no choice.

They, the survivors, his friends and allies, were not in control of what was happening, they were stuck in a place where such control was almost impossible.

The time had come to change that.

He couldn't help but think that they were just puppets dancing to a tune that would lead to place where he didn't want to be.

Well, the time had come to change the music, and it all started here, with one woman.

He nodded grimly as he walked forward.

Her name…was Agony.

It was not difficult to find the Sith, she often went off at sunset to train, he had only needed to stretch out with his feelings to find her. Her pain and loneliness were a beacon in the Force.

He kept his distance, watching before making his final approach. The dark lord was a shadow moving across the plains, one of many in the fading light, only this shadow was ringed in two dancing ruby lights, lights that might as well have been saw blades if one didn't realize what they were.

He shook his head.

She moved so fast.

Through the Force he could track her movements use it to slow down his perceptions. What he saw was something both powerful and dangerous…

…and…

He took another deep breath.

And…quite beautiful.

According to Avy, Agony had been born into the Echani tradition. As a Jedi, he knew something about that tradition. The legendary Jedi Master Brianna Kai had been of the Echani bloodline. When Meetra Surik, also known as the Exile, had gathered the lost Jedi and set the course for the order to be rebuilt, Master Kai had been among them.

She had brought many of the Echani ways into the order, or at least, mentioned them in her teachings. Stance, form, and discipline, they all became important to the next generation of Jedi Guardians.

Agony was of such a tradition, her moves and stances confirmed that…

Fenn smiled slightly.

The fact that she trained wearing almost nothing was also a dead giveaway.

Master Kai had included that in her teachings as well. The Echani believed that to train and spar in such a state showed you were beyond deceptions, that the fight was fair, with only the fighter's skills to aid them.

It was also said that Echani used such fights in their mating rituals, that for one Echani to completely defeat the one he or she desired proved that they had the right to consummate such desires.

Agony had been married once, Fenn knew, he wondered if her husband had needed to defeat her before she accepted him as her mate, and the father of her child?

Not that that mattered, it wasn't mating that he wanted, only to win the woman's trust.

He would need that trust, if he wanted to save Avy, not just from the dark side, but herself.

The thought left him daunted.

He couldn't help it.

It STILL felt like betrayal.

IOI

"I did NOTHING, master. I…I could have tried to stop her, but…I didn't."

Fenn had sought out his old teacher as soon as they had returned to Survivor Base. The journey from Kivan's Holdings had left him…shaken.

As a boy, when he had felt confused or overwhelmed, he had always gone to his master, and Jas Dar Bynn always seemed to know what he needed to hear.

Fenn needed that now, more than ever.

He HAD to have it.

They sat together in Master Jas' quarters. Fenn had gone to see him as soon as they had landed. He would still need to debrief with the Colonel later, but this wasn't about reporting about a mission.

This…was more important than that.

The Jedi Master had said nothing as Fenn had told him about what had happened. Jossef's betrayal, the strange worms, and the brutal end that had befallen their enemies.

Master Jas had said nothing until he had finished, he had been Fenn's teacher for almost a decade.

He knew what the young man needed, when he needed to talk.

Fenn looked down at his hands, he felt…ashamed, the screams of the dying mercenary still haunted him, but that wasn't all.

He could also remember feeling the cruel joy that Avaryss took in ending the man, the savage pleasure that had filled their connection as she slowly ended his life.

He couldn't meet his master's gaze.

"I could have stopped it."

If his teacher was ashamed of him, he didn't show it, instead he rose from his seat and walked over to his student, resting one hand on his shoulder.

"Perhaps you could have," he agreed, "But would that have changed anything?"

"It would have changed me," Fenn said looking up at him, surprised by his master's indifference.

"I allowed a man to be tortured to death, master."

"Would you rather of killed him yourself," Jas inquired, "Could you have made it quicker?"

"No, I…"

Fenn shook his head.

"He should have been turned over to the authorities. He was part of Captain Cooper's crew, maybe…"

Jas smiled slightly.

"And is Cooper an official authority now? He would be mildly insulted to hear that, I think."

Fenn frowned.

"Master…I…"

"Fenn, listen, what happened on Kivan's Holdings was bad. You fell into a trap, and fought your way out of it. What Jossef did, both to you, and Kivan Obando was wrong, did he deserve to die so painfully, probably not, but…you must ask yourself this. Even if you had brought him back, who would you surrender him to? Which authorities had the right to punish the man? Cooper would have heard your story, and executed him for it on the spot, harsh yes, but that is the rules out on the fringe. Could you have left him for the natives of the Holding to deal with? Maybe, but Jossef knew some of our plans, when the Zakuul showed up, looking for the key, and they will? Do you think he wouldn't have told them about Coop? Such a thread could have led back to us."

Fenn's eyes narrowed.

"Are you saying he had to die?"

"I'm saying he was foolish trying to trap a Sith, and was arrogant enough to think that Avaryss didn't have a card to play. I'm also willing to accept that we now have another one of Avaryss' keys in our possession, which means it is safe from the Zakuul."

Master Jas sighed and returned to his seat, he offered no judgment, and seemed to accept what had happened.

"Ugly things, happen in war, Fenn, sometimes you have to pick your battles. The mission was at stake, and you didn't have time to debate the finer points of execution with Avaryss and Teryn."

Fenn nodded.

That was true, but at the same time…

A shiver ran down his spine.

He hated to admit it, but he didn't like where this was going, any of it.

He had been happy when Lana had first approached them, telling them that she knew where Darth Avaryss was, and that she might be open to an alliance.

He had imagined the two of them fighting side by side, like they had done at the battle of the inferno nebula. He has seen both her strength and courage during that fight, had thought she would be a great ally against the invaders.

That…had not happened.

She was not helping them, instead, much of what they had done since taking her in had been about helping her; aiding her in finding these keys. Yes, they had proof that the invaders wanted them too, but…

It feels more like we are working for her, rather than her helping us.

She is manipulating us, Fenn recognized, it was not an easy thing to accept, but…there it was.

And in that moment, something clicked.

A memory perhaps, or maybe a warning through the Force.

He found himself reaching out for the connection he shared with Avy, that place where only they resided. What he felt…shocked him.

He didn't let himself slip completely into it, he stayed on the edge, searching, truly looking at what he was feeling, and what he knew.

That is when he sensed it.

On the surface, everything was normal, the connection felt the same, but…

The sheen of silver, the perfect balance between light and dark seemed…grayer, and it didn't take him long to find it.

It felt like there were two small punctures in that bubble that the purity of the connection had been breached, and something dark and malignant was leaking in…

…and when he focused on that sense of malice, he heard a familiar song, the keys singing into the Force.

The darkness was growing stronger! It was a small thing, small and insidious, but it WAS there.

Fenn didn't speak about it, not to Jas, not yet.

The keys were not just some power source, they were now…linked somehow to Avaryss, and through her, to him. He could feel it, that…power was flowing into their connection, changing it, perhaps even changing her.

He couldn't help but wonder.

If it could change her, what might it do to me?

It was in that moment that he realized he needed to do something. Master Jas had said he had a plan to deal with any treachery, if it came to pass, but Fenn didn't think they could afford to wait that long.

Avy had never lied to him, but that didn't mean she was incapable of deceiving him; deceiving all of them.

He had to do something, before things got worse.

The plan came to him quickly, Avy might have considered it a betrayal, but…

If it worked.

Avaryss had played her hand well, they were all dancing to her tune, without even realizing it.

It was time to change the music.

Given their connection, it was possible.

She can be saved.

The thought hit him like a blaster bolt.

If he could save her, turn her, she would have no use for the keys. She…she might even abandon the Sith altogether.

Given their connection, he thought it was possible, the only real danger was her allies, but that not really a problem either.

The girl Zay was not lost in the darkness, not yet. Temmin could help him with her, his mom too, Dr. Tagge had grown fond of the girl. Xen Loor was a threat, broken by her past. Fenn would need to be careful, but he knew her well enough that it was possible to work around the shadows that had ensnared her soul. Could he save her too? He wasn't sure, but Avaryss was in charge, she was the REAL threat. If she changed, Xen could be neutralized.

The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea, and…he knew exactly where to start.

That left only one, the first step in saving the girl he had known all his life.

It could be done, he realized.

Yes.

It could be done!

Fenn had left Master Jas with a new determination.

The Sith had a plan, they all knew it, well that was fine.

Fenn had a plan now too.

And, that plan would start with Darth Agony.

IOI

"I don't like being spied upon, Jedi."

Fenn jumped slightly; she had spoken up before he had even had a chance to approach.

She stood before him, unmoving, weapon in hand and still undressed, she did not bother reaching for her clothes, her toned, yet curvy form slick with sweat.

He sensed no self-consciousness, or nervous, clearly, she had no problem with someone seeing her in a state of undress, some might have thought her an exhibitionist, or maybe…she simply didn't give a damn.

The two faced each other, a small test of wills.

It was Fenn that decided to back down.

He lowered his eyes.

"I wasn't spying," he assured, "I was out walking. I…I felt your pain."

Agony sniffed, deactivating her twin blades, and then…gestured to her left, her clothes leapt into her hand.

"I was pushing myself," the girl said dismissively, pulling on her leggings.

She shrugged.

"There is no pain where the power lies."

He looked up at her again, even in the fading light, he could see the burns on her arms and legs, tiny kisses made by the edge of her blades. The newest one still red on her inner thigh.

Avy had told him about this too, the girl had been hurting herself for months, tiny wounds after her training sessions.

He had been thinking about that, how he might use it.

Now that he was here, he realized he was right to do so.

He reached out with the Force, and the sense of loss and loneliness nearly overwhelmed him. Agony was not like Avy, or even Xen.

She had been raised a Sith, but that didn't mean she had completely accepted their ways. Fenn could feel that too. The driving ambition for power wasn't there, not like it was in Avaryss.

Agony had been happy once, now…all she was trying to be numb. The pain she inflicted was a distraction.

The pain would turn to hate, eventually, and that hate would empower her, but…probably…destroy her.

He had a plan now, sure, but what he was feeling, even if he had not, he would have STILL tried to help her.

He felt foolish for ignoring this. Why had he not felt it sooner, the girl's need for help?

He was shamed, but at least, it was not too late to try.

He gave her a sad smile.

"There is no reason for it," he said, "Burning yourself."

She gave him a cold smirk.

"Maybe I like pain," she replied, "Had you thought of that?"

He had, but what he was feeling through the Force made the woman before him a liar.

He couldn't help it, he felt…bad for her.

He hadn't spent much time talking to her, not one on one. Usually she was at Avy's side, offering only ideas or insights.

He wondered if the others felt her pain, had they just ignored it? Avy knew about it, and let it continue, letting the pain continue to eat away at her friend.

"You are thinking of them," he said, "your family, your husband and daughter."

The Sith's smile faltered.

"You know nothing about me," she growled, "Or them."

"Yeah," he agreed, "Though…I can't imagine that they would be happy with you hurting yourself. I'm not sure that they would have wanted to see you in pain."

He reached out again with the Force, offering comfort, he could not heal the wounds, but he could help, the light could sooth mental pain.

He could help her. If she let him.

He waited for the fury to come, her hate of the Jedi, for her to reject the very idea of comfort, specially form one she considered an enemy.

It never came.

Agony winced she looked away, pulling on her shirt, and shaking her head no.

"You…you know nothing," she repeated, he sensed panic, she didn't want to accept his help, but…she did as well.

He gave her a humble smile.

"I know Avy is your friend, but…if you need to talk, if you think it is something she doesn't want to hear. I'm willing to listen, if you will let me."

She watched him with golden suspicious eyes. He could almost tell what she was thinking.

She had been taught to hate the Jedi, distrust their every word and motive. In the Sith Empire, that was a survival skill, the backstabbing nature of the lords of the empire were well known.

She is not used to compassion for compassion's sake. It may have been part of his plan, but that didn't mean that his ulterior motive was all there was.

She was in terrible pain, he could feel it radiating off of her, like some dying star.

Being around Avy, he had been ignoring the other girl's hurt, had come to see it as part of her, they all had, even Master Jas.

We should have been helping from the beginning, he realized.

The girl was trying to work the angles, see what such an offer was in his interest, but…he could also sense that she wanted comfort. Who knows how long she had been suffering, her fellow Sith just telling her to endure the pain, use it to make her strong.

Finally, she turned away, he felt mental walls going up. Like armor, they now blocked her emotions from his senses.

"Leave me alone," she spat, heading out into the darkness.

Fenn shrugged.

"As you wish, but…if you need to talk, the offer still stands."

He turned away and made his way back to base. He wasn't sure where she was going, but it didn't matter, not in that moment.

He started to wonder if he had misread what he had felt, perhaps the girl really was too lost in her pain to want comfort, maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part, maybe…

"Ma…Master Fenn?"

He paused and turned, she stood there, watching him, he could barely sense her now, her mask of a dark lord firmly back in place.

Her expression was pained to say the least.

"You…you should not have approached me," she said, "Know…know that I will be telling Avy about this."

Fenn shrugged again.

"Go right ahead," he replied, "I sensed your pain, and hoped to help. That is all there is to say about that."

He left her then, standing in the twilight, her golden eyes on his back.

It was then…that he sensed it, a sense of her reaching out, probing his defenses, trying to figure out what his game was.

Fenn smiled.

What she would feel would be his concern for her, that was genuine, that fact that he now sought to free Avy from the dark side would not be sensed, because it was part of the compassion, he felt for the poor young woman who had transformed into Darth Agony.

To save one, I will have to save the other.

His desire was not without ulterior motive, but that changed nothing. The Sith had plans, everyone in the Survivors knew that.

Well, he had a plan now too.

Was it deception, perhaps, maybe it was a betrayal of their overall deal with Avy, again perhaps.

Yet, he would risk it, for the sake of his dream friend, and the woman he had just approached.

Avy was likely deceiving them, he was not blind to that, but now, he was working a deception of his own, one for the betterment of all.

Would she see through it, try to avoid it? Maybe, but if not…?

He chuckled.

Whatever happened it would be an interesting battle between them, his war to save Avy's soul.

He was prepared to do what was necessary.

Okay, he thought, lets to this.

He went back to base with a bit more spring in his step.

Game on, Avy.